The Raider competitive cheer team continued their streak of dominance in 2026, claiming the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) title on their way to a solid showing in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Championship on Mar. 27-28 in Topeka, Kansas. Facing 14 other high-ranking schools, the Raiders earned a final score of 86.40, good enough for a ninth-place finish.
The tournament winner was the Xavier University Gold with a final score of 96.13.
As for the Raiders, the team’s performance was a win. “We had two very strong performances at Nationals,” coach Taylor Decker said. “We had more difficult stunts to showcase, so that was awesome to perform on the Nationals stage.”
“I think the performances went really well,” sophomore Bella Muller said. “We had done so much work leading up to them, that by the time we had gotten there, we were ready to go, and I think that was clear in our performance.”
Despite the team’s confidence coming off sixth-place results at the national competitions in 2024 and 2025, success was not a guarantee, as 2026 brought new challenges.
“This season was challenging with a new rule book that was implemented,” Decker said. “We pushed through, and the hard work was worth it.”
Additionally, changes within the team brought uncertainty.
“I would describe this season of Raider competitive cheer as a year of growth,” Muller said. “There were so many new faces and new positions that people filled with no prior experience. With a lot of hard work and consistency, we saw efforts paying off. Every athlete on this team had to remain dedicated through injuries, academics, and the constant pressure to perform at their highest level. As the routine changed and shifted about every competition, athletes adjusted and did their best to accommodate.”
As with any sport, competitive cheer involves ongoing change, which brings along its own negatives and positives.
“The most challenging part of cheer is definitely saying goodbye to our senior athletes,” Muller said. “The work they have put in is unmatched, as they have been such a big part in the success of the team. One of the most rewarding parts is the recruitment process. Seeing the faces, skill, and dedication that our incoming athletes have gets us excited for the future of our program. Our coaches have been making big efforts to grow this team and set us up for success. After another amazing season, I am excited to see what next year brings.”
